The Best Ski Resort Jobs to Have

A lot of people want to work for ski resorts but they get the wrong job. This list is to help you guys get the right job when you apply to a ski resort.
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[brycelach]

Current lifty. This job is so much fun. We get first tracks every morning and get to do tons of riding on the clock. The work isn’t all that hard. I really enjoy getting to know regulars and generally just getting people stoked to shred. If you’re the kind of person who is always mad at the world I’d highly recommend grooming or lift maintenance. But if you’re stoked about skiing or snowboarding, love people and just love being on the mountain, I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face at work yet.

[junglejeff]

I spent 5 years as a ski resort bartender, ride all day working/partying in the pub all night. Best job ever

[LushMoney]

Where’s my Snowmakers at?!?! Yes we get criminally under paid but this department makes the ski runs early season. Nothing makes me happier seeing people shred on the very snow I produced. I made snow for 6 years with Beaver Creek at vail resorts. If you have grit I highly recommended being a snowmaker. That department made me the man I am today through challenges college never would have provided. BEST JOB EVER

[davidbeazer]

Current ski instructor but I’ve done patrol, snowing making and grooming. Ski instructor fits me best but all are rewarding. Grooming through the night alone on the quiet mountain is incredible. So peaceful!

[philliptoone]

I work as a ski instructor and snow maker. I agree, these are great jobs. I love teaching so that is a good match for me. Snowmaking is great because it is early season. You get out on the snow earlier in the season than anyone else and you are finished early in the season as well. Don't underestimate parking. I've done that and really enjoyed it. You get to be a part of everyone's morning and then ski the afternoon.

[willsohrnberger]

Honestly, one of the best jobs, from REAL WORLD PERSPECTIVE (as I was a groomer) is being a snow cat operator. Entry level makes decent money. I got to move snow cats and ride perfectly groomed untouched snow with a headlight at 2AM with no one on the mountain. on powder days, I got 3-5 Untouched laps on the mountain before it was open to public. They let me ride and take the lift with the early morning ski patrol / people getting to their assignments before the mountain was open to public. Being a snowcat operator, being able to work 4 12 hr shits and had 3 days off, had me on snow more days per year than any other job at a ski resort. Plus I got to work october - april. That beings said. You have to be built a bit different to operate a snowcat. you work 10pm to 10am. You ride for a few hours after work (10am to 1pm) and sleep (1pm to 9pm) It's a different lifestyle but also, grooming is super chill. It's jsut you, your machine, your music and the mountain. Sure you have to deal with mechanical breakdowns, etc. Short staffed and chain grooming (when there aren't enough people on so you group up and groom 1 run at a time with 5 people in 5 snowcats so you can groom an entire run in 2 or 3 laps ) Chain grooming is way more boring that pushing snow and rebuilding a runs shape on your own, but it is what it is. Grooming is so awesome. Anyone who plays video games and likes to do all nighters on their PC, Xbox, playstation, it feels JUST LIKE THAT. You have joysticks and buttons to press and multi-task.

There is no greater feeling than getting to a run that has bumps and moguls and dirt spots and spending 3 hours making it beautiful and flat and perfect corduroy, then when you park your snowcat for the day shredding down to the bottom on perfect, untouched, flat, groomers. I've never trusted a run at keytstone (colorado) more than one I groomed myself.

[grahamhowe]

Worked park crew for 5 years. You dont have to be super good to work in every park. As long as you have the fundamentals and being able to at least hit and understand how the obstacles work (like how big to build a takeoff for the rail) is all you need. It's really just who you know, get tight with the park crew and they will want you there next season if there's space.

[LairAstro]

One of the most unpopular jobs is working the parking lots, most get off after noon but you get there really early in the morning. Or you can get a night time parking job if they offer it and ride all day then go to work.

[grantlingley]

Ski Patrol is definitely a rewarding position. Been a Volunteer for quite some time and love it. A lot of the larger resorts have an application process with significant Skiing / Medical capability required as well. For me, it has me in the snow every day, acting as an ambassador for the community, and of course assisting our guests when they need us most.

[payto]

snowcat driver is what i am pushing for... im only 15 but im going to try my best to get all the experience/ things i need to get there.

[brandon]

I didn't mind being a lifty while I was in school (being part time helped a lot). Days could get boring, and long when I had 8 hour shifts on holidays, but got lots of chances to help out guests with there first time, and see them progress. Not the most fun job out there, but most of the fun ones you need to get certifications for, and put in years of work. I couldn't see myself doing it fulltime and not going insane, but doing it 12 hours a week was alright plus free pass!

[theawsometay]

I've spent the last 6 years working as a lifty (soon will be going to school so I can work with lift maintenance 🤞) and I can say working as a lifty has pros and cons. The pros is meeting a lot of cool people all over the world, set hours, where I work we get two 1 hour breaks, free season pass, get to see some amazing sunrises/sunsets and you work your muscles by doing snow shoveling during heavy over night snow falls. Much like every Job there are some cons, it's a base entry job which is great for getting your foot into the ski industry but because of this in my experience in the past a lot of other departments (especially ski instructors) look down at you and they aren't always the nicest to you and I mean without liftys, ski patrol and lift maintenance it's a lot harder to go up the mountain. Some other stuff is working on pow days when everyone is all stoked and you get to watch a lot of runs get chopped up but also you can't book pow days off in advance but with your breaks you can usually go find the good stuff if you know where to find them. The other stuff too which for me isn't a problem but for other it might, is long days. For me a usual day starts at 730am and ends around 415-430pm which makes for long days and I'm usually In bed around 930 😂 so if you want a short day maybe work part time or in a different area, this other point is 100% location but working outside for the most part is a lot of fun, you get to work on your tan a bit, get to work in the snow, or making sure the chair doesn't mess anything up when it's really windy, but where I've been working the last two years we go through about 2 weeks of-25⁰C and -30⁰C not including a windchill. Most resorts won't operate when it's at -30⁰C before windchill but there has been days where I've worked in -25 but feels like -36 with the windchill. So you gotta be prepared to work in all kinds of weather or look into working somewhere else that isn't alberta canada if the extreme cold doesn't tickle your fancy. Over all the job is pretty great you work with people all over the world. My 5th season i worked with a few people from Venezuela and chile, you get to know the mountain locals who can be pretty nice to you, you get amazing perks (some places have free group lessons, rentals, and discounted lift tickets for other resorts) free season pass, discounted resort items like food or merch and some pretty amazing views. I generally love my job and want to take it higher by learning more in the understanding of how chairlifts work and how to fix them which is why I'm wanting to work in lift maintenance but being a lifty is really fun ans hopefully the cons didn't scare anyone away. So if anyone has made it this far in this comment during your next ski/resort mountain biking trip say hi, give a high five or ask us how our day is going. We don't bite plus we love snacks and will never say no to food "tips" mind you a simple hi or asking us how our day is will be just fine too.


My boyfriend is an instructor and although he's been doing this job for 6 years he loves it just as much as the season before. It's rewarding in a sense and although you do get paid by the lesson and some contracts will been either a 3-5hr promised pay it's fun (i know in canada instructors get paid based on qualifications and experienc). You gotta be prepared for kids to be full on crying to having bathroom accidents or just not wanting to ski/snowboard at all. To get your qualifications it is a bit pricey but also rewarding.

I've never worked in the states so all of my experiences are based in Canada which might not help the vast majority of followers but I do also know that Johnathan does have a small list of Canadian followers also.

[jordydorris]

I worked at a ski resort for 10 years. Worked in restaurant. Make way more money and ski alot. I had the most respect for ski patrollers though. Its not touched on here becasue its a major buz kill but I new a lot of guys who lost people on the job. Takes a lot of the fun out of the job if you are so unfortunate to work on someone who passes away or likely even gone when you get there.

[solomonjames]

Bro I put my time in at resorts through the years and LOVE what you are doing- these are great videos I wish I had when I was first venturing to new places. 👏👏👏

[jamesdelaney]

Worked as an evening cook in sun peaks for years. Rode over 100 days each year. I miss it dearly.

[kevinkenney]

If you are an evening custodian you are usually off around midnight which gives you plenty of time to rest so you could get first turns.

[ronaldvanengen]

The #1 is the CEO
#2 is the Top person in charge at the resort day to day operations etc ❤🎉😊

[brit]

As an instructor, I was only paid when I actually worked. If I did not get a lesson I took laps. I would get 50%-100% tickets at other resorts as a perk too. Most ski patrol folks ride for free everywhere but it is good to always call ahead of time. Teaching better riders and park is awesome. Beginners are rewarding but you are not “riding” much.

[valdemarpfeffer]

Cool video! I just got a job in Japan, as a instructor! And can’t wait to hit the mountains once again!

[TravelingDave]

I was Ripperoo at Keystone, I got paid as much as a manager and literally did nothing all day but snowboard/ski with people. I might've hit A51 as Ripperoo but I'll keep that on the down low...

I was also a manager out at Breck, it was super chill and I ended up getting my level 2 cert there for AASI. I'd take being Ripperoo over instructing hands down.